Vehicle wheel mounting



`lvlay 18, 1948. M, FRANClS y 2,441,807

VEHICLE WHEEL MOUNTING LY/V/V M FRANC/5 4 INVENTOR.

May 18, 1948- L. M. FRANCIS I VEHICLE WHEEL MOUNTING vFiledApril 15, 194e 4 sheets-sheet 2 May 18, 1948 L. M. FRANCIS 2,441,807

VEHICLE WHEEL MOUNTING` Filed April 15, 194e 4 sheets-sheet 5 May 18, 1948. L. M. FRANCIS VEHICLE WHEEL MOUNTING Filed April 15, 194e v4 sheets-sheet 4 l .\........l-.|. E ii L YN/V M FRANC/s Patented May 18? 1948 ireo since-.s PATENT 25441307 VEHICLE WHEEL MOUNTING Y Lynn M. Francis, Detroit, linien.

Application April 15, 1946, serial-Nt. tazas-1 1'1 claims. (o1. V2go-124) The present invention VYrelates to a vehicle wheel mounting and particularly toa'clifferential Wheel mounting structure in which the wheelsarefreely mounted for independent rotation and'areallowed freedom of differential movement in vertical planes.

Some of the dual wheel rnountings heretofore suggested for vehicles have proposed cc'innections between the wheels such ythat 'the 'free Viride'pe'ndent rotation of the wheels and the `free-'movement'. of the wheels in vertical 'planes has been re'- stricted. VIn other du'al wheel yr'nountirigs, the structures have not been such Aas to accommo-Y date either oneor the other of such movements. In most instances, the `problems in pneumatic tire changing or pneumatic tire-maintenance have been aggravated by the Vwheel mounting structures proposed. The advantages of 'a dual wheel mounting for vehicles which will allow free vindependent vrotation of the wheels and free differential movement of the Wheels in vertical planes are Well known, yet, priorto `the present invention, the `dual wheel mounting `-structures whichfhave been proposed have 'noty provided a commercially satisfactory-solution to the problem.

It is therefore an object -of the 4present invention to provide a differential vehicle wheel mounting infwhich a plurality of wheels lcarried in the mounting structure rare-allowed to 'rotate freely and independently'of each other and yet are free to move in vertical planes, either as --ayunit o-r independently, depending upon surface Icon'- ditions` encountered by the wheel.

It is' 'afurther object of the present invention to yprovide a differential 'vehicle wheel mounting in which the mounting is readily adapted for use in a large `class of Wheeled vehicles and in which provision is made to `simplify the changing or maintenance loperations in connection with the pneumatic tires on. the wheel as well as tocsimplify the jrepair or maintenance operations on the wheel or brake units.

It is agfurth'er lobject Vof the present yinvention to provide'a differential vehicle wheel mounting which is-of a simplified yet rugged construction and in which provision is made to assure `satisfactory load distribution on the wheels and satisfactory springing of the vehicle of which the mounting is a part.

Other objects of this invention will `appear in the following description and appended claims, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of vthis specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in ythe several views. Y

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Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a wheel mounting embodying ythe-present invention but showing the wheels, hubs 'and brakes insection.

Fig, 2 lis ya fragmentary ,rear elevation of the wheel mounting shown in Fig. 1. Y o o Fig. 3 is a side elevation Aof the wheel mounting shown in Fig. l. K V

Fig. 4 isa 'fragmentary section taken substantially on the line 4-4 inthe direction of 'the arrows, Fig. 1. K

A Fig. is a top `plan view (showing the -parts of the wheel mounting in position for changing a tirey or servicing Ythe wheels. l A n 1 Figs. -6 vand 7 Var-e a rear and side elevation respectively,V in reduced scalefand showin-g the position of the `parts of the Wheel suspension to accommodate relative" movement of the wheels in ve1'ticalplanes,g5ig. 7 beingl taken substantially along tno line i--i Inoking in the direction oi the arrows, Fig. o.V A Y n A Before explaining in detail the 4puissent inven tionit iswtovbe understood that the vinvent-.ion is not llimited in 'its applicationto v the details of construction `and arrangement yof parts illustrated i'n the accompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of Aother embodimentsand of beng'pr'acticed or carried `out-in various-ways. Also itis to be understood that -the-phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the-purpose of description and not of limitation. 1

The embodiment of thepresen-t invention in a wheel suspension as shown in the 4drawings is intended for use inv those vehicles inA which a trailing or dead axle is employed, as for example in trailer vehicle constructions or in other instances in which a load carrying Wheel suspension is'desired and in which thewheels are Ynot power driven. The vehicle to Awhich the suspension is attached is omitted v:from the drawings in the interest of lclarity since the Wheel suspension of the present invention may be used with any type of vehicleI construction in which dua1 load carrying wheels mounted on a 'dead axle are desired. Such vehicles will have --a frame structurewhich includes a channel rshaped cross frame member 1Y0, in the present instance shown ina, position forwardly of the wheel mounting, and `load carrying channel shaped-frame members [il and lf2, spaced from thecro'ss frame member I0 a vsuliicient distance to providey roomr for theV wheel housing (not shown),

The wheel suspension 'of the present invention is pivotally mounted; on ya cross shaft t3, 'which is "secured to the crossV frame member I0 nby ia am N plurality of brackets I4 and I5 connected with the cross frame member II) in any suitable mangitudinally extending arm I1 and the stub axle 2l is provided on the longitudinally extending" arm I8. As shown in Fig. 1, the stub'axles 20 and" 2| have their extending ends facing each other in` spaced relation. Y A hub 22 is journalledionthe stub axle 28 in a plurality of bearings 23'an`dgcar1' i ries a brake drum 24. The pneumatic tired wheel, is removably secured to the hub 22 by a plu' f rality of wheel bolts and nuts 26. A stationary brake backing plate 21 is secured to the arm I1 and carries a conventional friction brake applying mechanism 28. A hub 38 is journalled on the stub axle 2l on a plurality of bearings 3| and carries a brake drum 32. The pneumatic tired wheel 33 is removably secured to the hub 38 by a plurality of wheel bolts and nuts 34. A stationary brake backing plate 35 is secured to the arm I8 and carries a conventional friction brake applying mechanism 36.

This construction is such that each wheel, complete with its braking system, is journalled on its own stub axle and the entire assembly is carried on one of the longitudinally extending arms I1 or I8 forming a part of the wheel suspensionof the present invention. The arms I1 and I8, each carrying its axle, wheel and brake assembly,'as above described, are connected respectively to sleeves 31 and 38 which are rotatably mounted on the cross shaft I3. The sleeves 31 and'38 are separate from each other and mounted in spaced relation on the shaft I3 so that either sleeve and its attached arm may rotate or pivot about the shaft I3 independently of the other sleeve and its attachedarm. The sleeves 31 and'38'may be lubricated in any desired manner.

Any suitable type of resilient means may be ernployed to carry the load and to distribute the load through said swinging arms I1 and I8 to the pneumatically tired wheels 25 and 33. One form of such resilient means is shown in the drawings and 'will now be described. It is to be understood, however, that other conventional types of spring members may be employed if desired, The rear ends of the arms I1 and I8, hereinafter referred to as the swinging ends of said arms, are provided respectively with sockets 3S!I and 48 into which are placed respectively the ball ends 4I and 42 of the connecting link members 43 and 44.`Y Removable socket caps V45 and 46 are connected with the ends of the arms I1 and I8 and retain the ball ends 4I and 42 of the links 43 and 44 in place in the sockets 39 and 48 respectively. Y

The ends of the link members 43 and 44 opposite the ball ends 4I and 42 are provided with ball end portions 41 and 48 which are seated in sockets 49 and 56 which are provided in the opposite ends of the connecting cross bracket mem-Y 4 cross bracket 5I While permitting a universal swivelling movement between the said ends and the cross bracket. This permits relative movement between the arms I1 and I8 and the cross bracket 5I as may be required to accommodate the swinging of the arms I1 and I8 through arcs each of whose center is the longitudinal axis of the cross shaft I3.

The cross bracket member 5I is pivotally mounted on pivot shafts 54 and V55 carried by the lower spring seat bracket 56 which is provvided with a depending arm 51 to which is connected the lower eye 58 of a conventional type hydraulic' shock absorber unit 59, whose upper eye 6lis connected by a stud 6I carried by a bracket "(not shown) secured to aportion of the vehicle (frame memberinot shown) The Vv shock absorber 59 extends through the upper spring bracket 62 which is secured, as by welding, to the frame members II and I2. Compression coil spring members 63 and 64 are seated onvthe lower spring bracket 56 and extend upwardly to seat at their upper ends in pockets provided in the upper spring bracket 62.V The construction is such that the arms I1 and I8 may swing through an arc in the same direction an-d to the same extent, as will occur when the wheels 25 and 33 are on a at surface which may be varied either ,by a depression or an incline in which both wheels move simultaneously into the depression or over the incline. When this occurs the bracket 5I is moved vertically carrying'withit theY lower spring seat 56 and either compressing or permitting the extension of the springs 63 and 64 in a uniform manner. This movement is controlled by the shock absorber 59 so that the entire motion is spring cushioned but is restricted by the amount of movement permitted by the shock absorber 59.

In the condition shown in Figs. 6 and 1 where the wheels 25 and 33 are in -diierent vertical planes, as would occur for example when the one YWheel strikes a raised portion of the surface while the other wheel either remains on the Surface or strikes a depression in the surface, the swinging end ofthe arm I8 is raised while the swinging end of the arm I1 is lowered. This motion is per-k mitted by a rocking of the bracket member 5I about its pivot. In the condition as shown in Fig. 6 and '1 it will be seen that a compression force is exerted on both of the springs 63 and 64. The pivoting of the bracket 5I causes a swiveling action of the connecting link member 43 and 44 which is permitted by reason of theball and socket connections previously described. It will be seen therefore that the free swinging motion allowed in the arms I1 and I8 permits the wheels 28 and 33 to accommodate themselves independently to various changes in the surface condition and thatthese changes are translated into swinging movement of the arms I1 and I8 and are resiliently cushioned by the springs-63 an-d 64 and controlled by theshock absorber 59,

The changing or servicing of pneumatic tires, wheels or brake mechanism is facilitated by swinging the outside arm I8 outwardly of the vehicle as shown in Fig. 5. This movement is permitted because of the hinged connection between the end of the arm I8 as best shown in Fig. 3. As shown here, the end of the arm I8 is in the form of a hinged bracket 65 ywhich is connected with a pintle 66 which is journalled in a bracket 61 connected with the sleeve 38. The bracket 61 is provided with a rearwardly extending flange 68 which overliesY the forward end o f "apaiser the arm is. *rosafm 1ra isn-ela aaai-rist swinging movemer'iftrelatlve to th'e'rbracket E1 .and -the flange 68v byV a plurality of threaded studs69 which' extend through the flange 63 'and the arm i8 and are connected vby a plurality'of detachable wheel nuts. y l

To support the arm 'I8 when swung outwardly of the vehicle as shown in Fig. 5, a supporting flange 'H is provided as a part of 'the bracket `6! and is spacedioutwardly of the face of the arm l 3 when vin the position shown in Fig..r 1 and thus does not interfere with the'free swinging movement of the arm I3. during operation of the Vehicle. v y f To swing -th'e armf i8 outwardly of the vehicle as shown in Fig. 5 the load is first removed from the wheel 33 by any suitabletype 'of jack mechanism. rEhe wheel nutsv la are ,then removed from the threaded studs 59 andthe removable cap d5 is removed from the end of the arm i8 so as to disconnect the ball end lll of the link te from the socket dii. The arm .i8 is then free to .swingabout the pintle S6 rof the hinge connection.

From. the foregoing it will be seen. that the presentY invention provides a vehicle wheel mounting structure which is particularly adapted for use as a differential ldual wheel mounting structure in which each wheel is free to move independently of the other wheel both in rotation and in bodily movement in a vertical plane. The mechanism permits the wheels to rotate freely and independently of each other and permits the movement of the wheels in a vertical plane either as a unit or independently depending upon the surface conditions encountered by the wheels. The mounting is readily adaptable to any type of wheeled vehicle and with slight changes within the skill of any mechanic may be readily adapted to a wide range of vehicle constructions. For example, in the construction as here shown the pivoting of the arms is located at a point forwardly of the wheels. It is to be understood that in certain instances this point may be located rearwardly of the wheels by placing the spring construction herein disclosed at a point forwardly of the wheel. Other changes may be made to adapt the unit for use in a wide variety of commercial applications. In al1 instances the mounting is of a simplified yet rugged construction and assures satisfactory load distribution on the wheels and satisfactory springing of the vehicle under operating conditions.

I claim:

1. A vehicle wheel mounting comprising a pai-r of arms pivotally connected with a vehicle frame member to permit independent swinging movement of each of said arms in a vertical plane, an axle carried on each of said arms, a wheel journaled on each of said axles, resilient load -carrying means connected with said arms and with said vehicle frame member to oppose said swinging movement of said arms, one of said arms being pivotally .connected with said vehicle frame member for pivotal movement outwardly of the vehicle.

2. A vehicle wheel mounting comprising a pair of arms pivotally connected with a vehicle frame member to permit independent swinging of each of said arms in a vertical plane, an axle carried on each of said arms, a wheel journaled on each of said axles, spring means for connecting the swinging ends of said arms to a portion of the vehicle frame while permitting the independent swinging movement of said arms and comprising a pivotally mounted rocker member, and ccm- 'on each of said arms, a wheel journaled von each of said axles, and spring means `for'co'm'iect'ing the swinging ends of said arms to a portion vof the vehicle frame while permitting the independent swingingy movement of said arms, the outside arm of said pair of arms being hinged for swinging movement outwardly of the vehicle ata .point adjacent its point ofy pivotal connection with the vehicle Vframe member.

4. A vehicle Vwheel mounting as. claimed in claim 3 and being further characterized in. that said spring means'. includes Va pivotallymou'nt'ed rocker member detachably connected at each end with the swinging ends of each arm, and in 'that compression spring members iarelocated adjacent each end of said rocker member.

` 5. A vehicle wheel mounting adapted to permit free rotation of a pair of dual wheels and the independent movement thereof in vertical planes and comprising a pair of swinging arms pivotally connected at one end to the vehicle frame, one wheel of said pair of wheels being journaled on a stub axle mounted on one of said arms, the other wheel of said pair of wheels being journaled on a stub axle mounted on the other of said arms, and load carrying spring means connected between said arms and the frame of the vehicle to resiliently oppose swinging movement of said arms, the outside arm of said pair-of swinging arms being hinged adjacent one end for pivotal movement outwardly of the vehicle.

6. A vehicle wheel mounting adapted to permit free rotation of a pair of dual wheels and the independent movement thereof in vertical planes and comprising a pivotal bracket connected with said Aframe for pivotal movement about a horizontal pivot axis, a pair of swinging arms pivotally connected at one end of each to the vehicle frame and connected at the other end of each with said pivotal bracket, the outside arm of said pair of arms being detachably connected with said pivotal bracket and being hinged at its other end for pivotal movement outwardly of the vehicle, locking means for locking said outside arm against said outward pivotal movement during operation of the mounting, one wheel of said pair of Wheels being journaledon a stub axle mounted on one of said arms, the other wheel of said pair of wheels being journaled on a stub axle mounted on the other of said arms, and load carrying spring means connected between said arms and the frame of the vehicle to resiliently oppose essentially vertical swinging movement of said arms,

7. A vehicle wheel mounting adapted'to permit free rotation of o, pair of dual wheels and theV independent movement thereof in vertical planes V carrying spring means connected between said Y arms and the frame of the vehicle to resiliently oppose swinging movement of said arms, the outside arm of said pair of arms being pivotally mounted at'a point adjacent its pivotal connection with the vehicle frame member for pivotally moving outwardly of the vehicle, and means to support said outside arm when the latter is pivotally moved outwardly of the vehicle and comprising a supporting bracket extended outwardly from said vehicle frame.

8; A vehicle wheel mounting adapted to permit free rotation of a pair of dual wheels and the independent movement thereof in vertical pl-anes and comprising a pair of swinging arms pivotallyV connected at oneA end to the vehicle frame, one wheel of said pair of Wheels being journalled on a stub shaft mountedv on one of said arms, the other of said pair of wheels being journalied on a stub shaft mounted on the other of said arms, a pivotal bracket, means for detachabiy connecting said pivotal bracket with the swinging ends of said arms and comprising ball end links connected injsockets provided respectively inthe ends of said arms andthe ends of said pivotal bracket, and spring means connected between said pivotal bracket and the frame of the vehicle. 9. A vehicle wheel mounting as claimed in claim 8 and further characterized in that detachable caps are provided for retaining the ball ends of said ball link members in said sockets.

10,'A vehicle wheelv mounting as claimed in claim 8 and further characterized in that the outside arm of said pair of swinging arms is hinged for swinging movement outwardly of the vehicle at' a point adjacent its point of pivotal connec tion with the vehicle frame member.

11. A vehicle Wheel mounting as claimed in claim 8 and further characterized in that said spring means comprises compression spring members located adjacent each end of said rocker member and a shock absorbing member is connected between the vehicle frame and the mounting of said pivoted bracket.

LYNN M. FRANCIS.

'REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record inthe le of this patent:

UNITED STATES VPA'rErnrs Larison June 11, 1946 

